Camera Settings for Cloudy Day (Shooting in Cloudy Weather)
Dull grey days, something demotivating to go out for a photo shoot, Isn’t it? Actually, it’s not true. Even you can have the best shots out there in overcast if you know how. And the only skill you have to have is knowledge about camera settings for a cloudy day.
This article will help you by discussing all the low-light camera settings with essential tips. Moreover, there will be professional guidelines to get the proper overcast shots.
Proper Camera Settings for Cloudy Day
The camera settings for overcast photography are not still. You have to change it depending on the light and weather conditions. Here are the fundamental guidelines for different lighting situations and weather conditions. The guideline below is the fundamental one. We haven’t focused on any particular device. So, everyone can follow the instructions.
Step 1: Set up The Lens
Firstly, you have to set the lens up. If you are a first-time overcast photographer, then a regular 18 x 55 lens is good enough to do the job.
Step 2: Set Up The Aperture
Now set up your camera in Aperture Priority Mode. The aperture priority mode is easy to find in any Digital SLR camera. You will find it with other modes, and the symbol will be A or Av, depending on the camera. For example, on cloudy days, you can’t shoot at a fixed aperture because the cloud will come before the sun often, so you have to take 2-3 f stops for a single shoot. Likely the Aperture of f/2.8 to f/4 is good enough for overcast conditions.
Step 3: Set Up The ISO
After you are done with the Aperture settings, it is time to set up the ISO. Like the Aperture, you must constantly change the ISO if you want to work in overcast weather conditions. A low Aperture from 100 to 400 is good enough. But, if you are unwilling to take the hassle, just set the ISO to Auto mode. Also, manual ISO settings will result in many editing tasks. The camera itself will balance the ISO depending on the Aperture in the auto mode.
Step 4: Set Up the Shutter Speed
Once you have set the Aperture and ISO comes the shutter speed. There are two different options for shutter speed. One is that you can turn on the shutter priority mode from the top of your camera. Or you can set it manually. As we have already said, the sun comes and goes around behind the clouds on cloudy days, so you will need a fast shutter speed. If you are shooting moving objects, a fast shutter speed is a must. And if you are taking stills, you can set the shutter speed to 1/60 a second. This speed is ideal for overcast photography.
Tips To Get the Best Shots During Overcast
you are all done with the camera settings. But shooting during cloudy days Needs more than just settings. And these tips below are the ones you will get instructions to click the best shots.
1. Use the sky as a softbox for your shots
On cloudy days you do not have to worry about the shiny sunlight. The clouds cover the sun like the softbox we use in the studios. So, you can take advantage of the overcast and utilize the cloudy sky as a softbox to get the shots with perfect lighting.
2. Edit the images in the black and white format
Black and white make everything classy and look better. And your overcast photos are not different. Editing the shots to black and white format adds more vibe to the photo and highlights the subject more. However, editing the image and then converting it to black and white is better.
3. Shooting above the subject would be the best
Shooting the subject, primarily humans or other animals, from a bit higher position is a great trick to apply during overcast photography. It will help you to get the reflection of the cloudy sky in the eyes of the subject and will help you get next-level shots.
4. Try to capture the sky and the formation of the clouds
If you are planning to take landscape shots, then go over the hill and try to capture the whole definition of the sky along with the different cloud formations. If you are lucky, you may find shapes of different animals or other things in the cloud formation. Also, there are chances to get the rainbow in the portrait.
5. Consider adding the sunrays in the portrait
As we have already discussed, the sun hides behind the sun during overcast. So, when you stay in a high place, you can capture natural light pools. Also, when taking close shots of beautiful sun rays, you will get to highlight the subject. So, be patient and wait for the sun’s rays to be in your frame.
6. Choose a forest location for the shots
Forest locations are the best locations for outdoor photography. And, when the weather is cloudy, you will likely get the best view of the forest. So, try to be in the woods when you plan to shoot on a cloudy day.
Should you take photos on a cloudy day?
Cloudy days are great for landscape photography because of the contrast between the sky and the ground increases. However, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for glare and reflections off of surfaces.
What is the Sunny 16 rule in photography?
The Sunny 16 rule in photography is one of the most accessible rules. Following this rule, your shutter speed would be the opposite of your ISO value. If you set the aperture value at f/16 and the ISO at 100, your shutter speed will be 1/100 second.
What Aperture is best for low light?
A wider aperture value is good for low-light photography. Generally, f/2.8 to f/4 is perfect for shooting in overcast weather conditions.
Which weather is best for photography?
The weather condition for the photography depends on what type of photography you’re interested in. For landscapes and nature photographers, weather conditions that create beautiful natural light are ideal. On the other hand, portrait and wedding photographers often prefer overcast or rainy days to achieve a more romantic look.
Does Golden Hour happen when it’s cloudy?
Golden hour can happen when the sky is cloudy. According to experts, light travels in a straight line, and it’s harder for the clouds to block the sun’s rays when it’s bright. This means that the light hits the ground at an angle, making everything look more radiant. The direct sunlight will fall on the clouds creating a natural softbox for photography.
Conclusion
If you want to capture great photos on a cloudy day, use settings emphasizing natural light. Use a tripod if possible and avoid using filters or changing your Aperture too much. If you need to take photos indoors, bring a lamp to brighten the scene. Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings; different conditions will produce different results in your photos.
